Exciting news at VV HQ as our leading lady Anna has committed to the full nine day Route Cure Leukaemia Challenge in July.
To mark each of the nine stages from the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift she will undertake as part of the event, Anna shares nine reasons why she traded the two day taster event for this mega challenge.
Stage 1 – Reason 1: Camaraderie
There are 23 amateur riders all training hard for this adventure, I met and rode with some of them at a recent training camp in Calpe. I’ve always enjoyed riding with other women, and this lot were an inspiring bunch. It was great to ride with people from all different walks of life, with very different cycling histories and from all over the world. I had a blast cycling with them in Calpe and have loved keeping in touch on our WhatsApp group since.
Stage 2 – Reason 2: Inspiration
Many of the riders have a personal connection with blood cancer. Other riders have children undergoing treatment for blood cancers, they use their experiences to galvanise their efforts and get them up the climbs. My brother had blood cancer several years ago and I know it’s a gruelling time for all the family, and I was so impressed how other riders were able to channel this into positive action and fundraising. Having recently met some young people undergoing treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, I have a renewed sense of how lucky I am to get to ride The Route. I’m so mindful that it is an absolute privilege to be able to take part.
Stage 3 – Reason 3: FOMO
When I arrived at the training camp in Calpe I was only intending to do the first two days of the event in summer; a nice, sensible goal I thought. However, I quickly realised that I would get the most terrible FOMO and couldn’t imagine having to wave everyone off on day three. I may live to regret it, but I’m all in!
Stage 4 – Reason 4: The long game
I’m not a fast or talented cyclist, but I do love being on the bike and the nine days will give me plenty of bike time! This definitely isn’t a race, we’ll all be pacing ourselves, conserving energy and playing the long game. A previous Tour 21 rider gave us a great piece of advice ‘don’t go looking for the pain, it will find you soon enough’. A little daunting, but wise words.
Stage 5 – Reason 5: Cheering on women’s cycling
I’m a big cycling fan and I love watching the women’s racing. In a sport that is still struggling with gender parity, I will continue to do what I can to promote women’s cycling by doing it, watching it, and by having an active focus on women’s cycling through VeloViewer.
Stage 6 – Reason 6: VeloViewer collab
There’s a lovely synergy between VeloViewer and Cure Leukaemia. They are ASO’s chosen UK charity and VeloViewer has supported ASO events for several years, so this feels like a really good fit. The VeloViewer graphics will help riders to prepare and will help to bring the challenge to life for potential sponsors. The VeloViewer tools are also available for The Route organising team, this is just another way for us to support the excellent work that Cure Leukaemia does.
Stage 7 – Reason 7: My 50th year
I’ll be turning 50 shortly after The Route, and this event is proving to be a brilliant focus for my midlife crisis. I genuinely love having the structure of a training plan and a goal to work towards. I’m working with a coach who has been fantastic at keeping me on track.
Stage 8 – Reason 8: Cure Leukaemia support
When I signed up I didn’t know what to expect, the support for riders from Cure Leukaemia has been amazing. We have cool kit to wear, we have regular rider calls, there are training rides and training camps – the whole experience has been brilliant so far. They really make you feel a part of something special.
Stage 9 – Reason 9: Peer pressure!
Ben from VeloViewer made it clear early on that he’d be very disappointed if I didn’t sign up to do the whole thing. He is super excited about the whole event and is my biggest cheerleader. He’ll be there with the kids when we roll into Nice. I’m not sure what shape I’ll be in by then, but I know I’ll be delighted to see them all.
If you want to cheer Anna on virtually and support Cure Leukaemia you can sponsor her here.
Riders pay 100% of the event costs, every penny of sponsorship goes to Cure Leukaemia.
